Wednesday's letters: Playing politics

Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 6:04 p.m.

To the editor: From the May 6 “Other Voices” editorial we can extract the following: The Obama administration was using the FAA cuts, claiming they produced massive airport delays in order to maximize public pain and thus force House Republicans to raise taxes. This was summarized as “a manufactured problem” and “playing politics with air safety issues.”

This apparent willingness to risk the lives of travelers for political purposes is of a piece with suspicions concerning Benghazi. Namely, the administration knew that the lives of Americans were at great risk. But to acknowledge that by protecting them would have demolished the campaign narrative, “Al-Qaida is on its heels.”

This is not the sort of administration we can comfortably allow to control our health care.

Candler A. Willis

Zirconia

Gun violence

To the editor: I don’t want to stomp on anyone’s “freedom,” but this kind of thing has to be stopped. I’m not sure how, but I’m sick to death of these types of murders!

This was only a few miles from our place. I didn’t know the people, but I feel for the family.

The guy pulled up in his car, pulled out an assault rifle and massacred his estranged wife and her parents just sitting in their front yard with their kids at home to watch. I would say unbelievable, but lately I would believe anything when it comes to gun violence.

I am not anti-gun, just anti-hunting for people with these guns! Many crazy people — yes. Should they have military-style killing weapons? No! These kids are left without parents or grandparents because of this disgruntled husband.

The more I think about this the more angry it makes me!

Jack B. Elliott

Hendersonville

‘Souvenir’ is brilliant

To the editor: I recently had the honor to see a marvelous production of “Souvenir” at Flat Rock Playhouse. Two people connected by their love of music, the play tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a would-be singer, played brilliantly by Linda Edwards, and Cosme McMoon, her accompanist, played brilliantly as well by Carl Danielsen.

Mrs. Jenkins was a woman who heard beautiful music in her head and wanted to sing that music for anyone who would listen. “Souvenir” is a comedy, a drama, a real-life tale of one person’s dream and the determination to overcome insurmountable odds.

It’s been a while since I’ve laughed this much and then cried a bit, too.

That’s all I’m saying. Please run, don’t walk, to see “Souvenir” — and please stay through to the end.

<p>To the editor: From the May 6 Other Voices editorial we can extract the following: The Obama administration was using the FAA cuts, claiming they produced massive airport delays in order to maximize public pain and thus force House Republicans to raise taxes. This was summarized as a manufactured problem and playing politics with air safety issues.</p><p>This apparent willingness to risk the lives of travelers for political purposes is of a piece with suspicions concerning Benghazi. Namely, the administration knew that the lives of Americans were at great risk. But to acknowledge that by protecting them would have demolished the campaign narrative, Al-Qaida is on its heels.</p><p>This is not the sort of administration we can comfortably allow to control our health care.</p><p><em>Candler A. Willis</em></p><p><em>Zirconia</em></p><h3>Gun violence</h3>
<p>To the editor: I don’t want to stomp on anyone’s freedom, but this kind of thing has to be stopped. I’m not sure how, but I’m sick to death of these types of murders!</p><p>This was only a few miles from our place. I didn’t know the people, but I feel for the family.</p><p>The guy pulled up in his car, pulled out an assault rifle and massacred his estranged wife and her parents just sitting in their front yard with their kids at home to watch. I would say unbelievable, but lately I would believe anything when it comes to gun violence.</p><p>I am not anti-gun, just anti-hunting for people with these guns! Many crazy people  yes. Should they have military-style killing weapons? No! These kids are left without parents or grandparents because of this disgruntled husband.</p><p>The more I think about this the more angry it makes me!</p><p><em>Jack B. Elliott</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Souvenir’ is brilliant</h3>
<p>To the editor: I recently had the honor to see a marvelous production of Souvenir at Flat Rock Playhouse. Two people connected by their love of music, the play tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a would-be singer, played brilliantly by Linda Edwards, and Cosme McMoon, her accompanist, played brilliantly as well by Carl Danielsen.</p><p>Mrs. Jenkins was a woman who heard beautiful music in her head and wanted to sing that music for anyone who would listen. Souvenir is a comedy, a drama, a real-life tale of one person’s dream and the determination to overcome insurmountable odds.</p><p>It’s been a while since I’ve laughed this much and then cried a bit, too.</p><p>That’s all I’m saying. Please run, don’t walk, to see Souvenir  and please stay through to the end.</p><p><em>Terry Neal</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>